Funding Opportunities for Communities

Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative 2023

Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman recently launched The Parent and Toddler Groups Grants Initiative 2023. This year the emphasis will be on supporting Parent and Toddler Groups that offer a welcome to families who are newly arrived in Ireland. Following from the success of the additional funding streams in last year’s Initiative, the Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative 2023 will again offer three streams of funding:

1. Funding of €800 for existing groups and €1,100 for the establishment of new groups.

2. Funding of up to €300 is available to establish and operate Buggy Walking Groups. These Buggy Walking Groups are organised social walks for parents/ guardians and young children. The grant is open to any existing or new organisations or groups who wish to offer a minimum of six organised walks within their community.

3. Additional funding of up to €300 is available for new or existing Parent and Toddler Groups to provide a second session to meet demand.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 21st April. For further details or for an application form please contact codriscoll@ corkchildcare.ie or call 022-23880.

Minister Roderic O’Gorman

Vacancy And Dereliction Tackled With New Fund

Minister Heather Humphries announced a new €13 million fund to tackle vacancy and dereliction in rural Ireland. With this, local authorities will be provided with €500,000 in funding to purchase and redevelop up to 3 properties. In the past, the project has been used to upgrade old banks, court houses, garda stations, and FCA halls.

“There has never been as many opportunities for local community groups to access funding for rural and community development projects,” said Minister Humphries, “I am anxious to make this funding as accessible as possible

Clár

Minister Heather Humphries announced funding of almost €8 million for community and sports facilities.

“Since the Clár programme was relaunched in 2016, it has made a very positive contribution to some of our most remote and rural communities. The Initiative has supported over 2,100 projects with funding of over €57 million made under a range of different measures,” said Minister Humphries.

The 2023 fund aims to focus on new builds and will expand on the response to last years Community Care Investment Fund which approved over €454 million to 858 projects. These grants have been used for all manner of local amenities and general plans have been made including: Youth clubs, playgrounds, sensory gardens, walking tracks, and more Upgrades to spectator stands at local GAA and sports clubs funded for the first time Cancer care transport, Community First Responders, and offshore islands supported.

Supervalu Tidy Towns Competition

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, in association with the Managing Director of SuperValu, Ian Allen, has launched the 2023 SuperValu TidyTowns competition.

Since 1958, the competition, which is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development and sponsored by SuperValu, has been a pivotal initiative in bringing communities together and addressing some of the environmental challenges we face in modern society.

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the competition and is expected to attract one of its highest level of entries to date. The number of entries is steadily increasing and many new groups are entering the competition for the first time or returning with new enthusiasm and drive to improve their local areas. The closing date for receipt of entries for this year’s competition is Wednesday, 10 May 2023. Entry forms for the SuperValu TidyTowns competition are available on the Tidy Towns website and will be emailed to all registered groups. Entry to the competition will only be accepted by email to tidytowns@drcd.gov.ie

€20 Million Fund for the Construction Of New Community Centres.

A first-ever dedicated fund for shovel-ready community projects in our towns and villages. This hopes to focus on areas lacking community facilities. The lead party to an application must be a State-funded body (e.g. a local authority). An application form can be requested from ccif@drcd.gov. ie. The deadline for the receipt of applications is noon on 3rd July 2023.

Full details https://bit.ly/40wtQ2j